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Posts Tagged ‘Chronic illness’

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a recognized condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people, regardless of age. Overwhelming tiredness, relentless body aches, and persistent illness make it difficult to manage daily activities. Here are some helpful pointers for dealing with constant fatigue.

Recognizing chronic fatigue syndrome

There’s a big difference between fatigue from life and fatigue from chronic illness. It’s normal to feel tired in the morning, and want to crawl back to bed and call in sick for work.

If you have difficulty motivating yourself to become more physically fit, then…well, you’re just like the rest of us.

However, if you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), then you’re not just tired some mornings; you usually wake up feeling worn out, as if from a long day’s work, though the clock just struck 6:30 am and you slept the whole night through.

People with chronic fatigue can’t imagine running a marathon; it’s hard enough just to walk around the block.

1- Acceptance is the key

Don’t delay getting treatment by putting off symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, thinking they’ll go away. You can’t get better until you accept that the amount of exhaustion and pain symptoms you experience on a daily basis is not normal, and requires treatment.

By opening the doors of acceptance you open the doors to a new beginning…

2- It’s a mind-body experience

Chronic fatigue is a combination of physical and emotional ailments combined. Symptoms of CFS can include:

3- Be your own advocate

Talk to other people who have CFS, and join the network of chronic illness awareness on Facebook, Twitter, and advocacy sites.

If chronic fatigue syndrome is making it impossible for you to work, find out about special accommodations or benefits that you may be entitled to according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

4- Find a chronic pain specialist

Seek a professional who has experience with patients of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and discuss treatment options.

5- Communicate with friends and family

Don’t try to sweep chronic illness under the rug. Let the people closest to you know that it’s okay to discuss why you’ve been feeling tired all the time, and ways in which they can help out.

Natural alternative treatments may include vitamin supplementation, as underlying vitamin B12 deficiency or other forms of malnourishment are often comorbid with CFS and fibromyalgia, exacerbating symptoms of fatigue, depression, and chronic pain.

Other good preventive treatments to try include:

Homeopathy

Acupuncture

Restrictive dieting

Physical therapy

Meditation

Your turn!

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Raising children is challenging for people from all walks of life; when you suffer from a chronic illness, such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), parenting can be doubly difficult. Here are some tips for maintaining the family home front while battling symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cause debilitating symptoms such as extreme tiredness, excruciating pain, frequent illness and severe malnutrition problems such as vitamin B12 deficiency and iron deficiency. Many sufferers struggle to balance parenting and work while dealing with constant fibromyalgia flare-ups and crushing fatigue.

Below are expert parenting tips that are helpful for moms and dads suffering from any chronic illness, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

Talk about it

Many parents with chronic illness try to hide their condition from their children. Either they’re embarrassed to admit weakness, or they mistakenly think their kids are too young to understand or be able to deal with it. Sometimes, it stems from fear of reversing the parent-child role, placing the burden of caretaking onto the child.

Parenting experts recommend being open with your children about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and encouraging regular communication. In most cases, your children want to be “in the know,” and to be reminded that things are going to be okay, that you aren’t suffering from any life-threatening illness.

Think ahead

If you regularly take your children to school or pick them up at the end of the day, then it’s a good idea to have a backup plan for days when you are physically unable to leave your bed or get into a car. Ask a relative or friend if they could be on-call for fibromyalgia flare-ups, and make sure your children’s teachers are aware of your arrangement. Or, see if there are any after-school daycares that take last minute drop-ins.

Keep things steady

It’s hard to stay consistent when you’re struggling with an illness that doesn’t follow any predictable pattern. Still, an important part of parenting with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is maintaining a certain level of regularity. Changes are stressful for children, so strive to keep things as normal as possible.

The best way to do that is to incorporate a certain amount of flexibility into your regular routine, whether it be impromptu visits with grandma or grandpa or the occasional extended TV time while mommy recuperates.

Stay focused

Never lose track of the things that are most important in life while trying to compensate for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. It’s okay if your children don’t have expensive birthday party blow-outs or a mom who roller skates with them after school. Don’t compare yourself to other parents who don’t suffer from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.

What matters most to your children, after all is said and done, is that you are there for them, and that you always will be.

Take care of yourself

One of the best (and most obvious) tips for parenting with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is to be your own best healthcare advocate. Keep up with the latest research in natural pain management, immune system health, and increased energy through nutritional therapies.

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Find your inner Spoonie…What’s the theory behind the “Spoon Theory,” and how can it help you manage pernicious anemia?

Disclaimer: The B12 Patch is in no way affiliated with Christina Miserandino or her blog “But You Don’t Look Sick.”

“Spoonies are people that live with chronic illness; theoretically measuring personal daily abilities much as one would measure the proper amount of spoons needed for an event or occasion… sometimes having an abundance, other times coming up short.” –Taken from the Urban Dictionary

The Spoon Theory, in a nutshell

The Spoon Theory is the baby of Christine Miserandino, moderator and owner of the popular chronic illness blog, But You Don’t Look Sick.com. It began when she was having lunch with an ex- college roomie, when her friend turned to her and asked what it’s like living with chronic illness (Christina suffers from Lupus).

The question astonished her. What’s not to understand? Especially after personally witnessing her agony these past years… the constant fatigue, excruciating pain, and disability…symptoms that are common with pernicious anemia and dozens of other disorder…

Health is wealth

She hit upon the idea of comparing her daily energy level to a “spoon” bank. Healthy people are the billionaires of the spoon theory; with a never-ending supply of spoons in their savings accounts, they have limitless energy. They can get up at the crack of dawn, work overtime, meet friends for dinner later, pop on over to the gym, and still have energy to watch the late night news.

Sorry, that’s too exspoonsive

Chronically ill people, however, are the scrimpers and savers of the spoon bank. With Lupus, Christina starts each day with 12 spoons, and has to spend them frugally, lest she become fatigued before the day is through. She cannot have it all, and she accepts that. By slowing down and avoiding energy-draining activities like driving through rush-hour traffic or shopping at the mall, people with pernicious anemia, as well, can learn how to make their spoons last the whole day, or most of it.

What are the symptoms of chronic illness?

The symptoms are specific to the type of illness you have, but many overlap. Also, people who suffer from autoimmune disorders like pernicious anemia and fibromyalgia may experience comorbid conditions, as well.

Spoonies R us

Since its inception, the Spoon Theory has gained massive appeal. Not only has it enabled many chronically fatigued patients (like pernicious anemia sufferers) to cope with their ailments, but it has also broadened awareness for the many illnesses that fall under the category of “invisible diseases,” including:

Fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue

Lupus

Celiac disease

Migraines

Crohn’s disease (IBD)

Thyroid disorder

Multiple sclerosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Diabetes

And yes, pernicious anemia

Are you a Spoonie?

Please tell us how you have applied the Spoon Theory to your daily life…

Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.

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